Solo Weekend Hiking Northwest Illinois

Kari and Reid were in Spokane, WA this past weekend visiting our good friends Chris, Jamie, and Wilson. I thought I would take this free time to head to northwest Illinois. I knew very little about this area, as most people do. I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it is. The plan was to head to a few state parks in this region. I first headed up to Apple River Canyon State Park to start the adventure. I think the prospect of freezing rain and snow dissuaded just about everyone from heading out for a hike. I had the forest practically to myself... and the 20 or so deer. Obie enjoyed sniffing them out.

Of course, I always want to push the adventures. The Primrose Nature Trail at this park was a lot of fun. I hit all the trails and tied this one towards the end of my hikes at the Apple River Canyon SP. The one part of this trail requires you to cross a shallow river.

This would be an easy and or refreshing task in the summer time. Maybe I had watched a few too many Man vs Wild or Survivor man shows, but thought I would experience crossing the frigid waters while it was starting to snow. What I did learn is to keep your hiking shoes and sock dry if at all possible, so off with the shoes...

It wasn't so much the cold, but the small rocks on bare feet that hurt the most. The water didn't seem to phase Obie.

I headed back to the trail parking lot with a few hours of daylight left. My original plan was to camp at this State Park. Since it is winter season, there was only the youth camp that was open and although it was quaint, I thought I would see what other options I could come across.

I pulled out the GPS and searched for another State Park close by. 25min down the road there was Lake Le-Aqua-Na SP. It was at least worth a drive to check it out.

When I pulled into the State Park, it exceeded my expectation. This park looked like a perfect place to spend the night.

I checked with the Park Ranger and while he advised that most of the trails would be closed early in the morning for Bow hunting season, he pointed to a "closed" trail that would be worth a hike.

With about 90 min of daylight, I thought I would hit a trail or two. I started out on the nature trail he recommended and then hopped onto a horse trail. There is something surreal and peaceful about hiking in a pine forest. I found myself frozen in my tracks watching deer peer out at me on the trail.

With the day light just about gone, it was time to retire to the camp site. What I love about my Honda Element is the great shelter it provides.

It was a cold and blustery night, but my sleeping bag and Element kept me warm. Even the park ranger came to check on me early in the morning. I think he thought I was a little crazy!

I made some coffee in the morning and I was off to the next state park.

I drove over to Mississippi Palisades State Park. My ulterior motive to head to this park is that there is supposed to be some good rock for climbing. I will admit on my reconnaissance mission, there does appear to be some decent climbing routes. Nothing like the Red River Gorge in Kentucky but much closer to Chicago.

I ventured on all the trails on the south side of the park. It offers some great trails, views, solitude, and a moderate amount of challenge.

This is the great Mississippi River in the background of this rock scramble.

I was ready to call it a day and start heading back home. I plugged in "home" in the GPS and started back, enjoying what a great weekend I had, I caught a glimpse of bright green on the screen of the GPS and thought to myself. I wonder what State Park that was. It was early in the afternoon so what the heck, Let's check it out. Yes at this point, I was talking to Obie...

White Pines State Park was the name of the park in the midst of Black Hawk country. If you couldn't tell, there is a lot of Native American influence in the region. This park was so cute and tell me, what other state park has a road where you have to drive through two river crossings to get to the back trails.

Of course this was not a problem for the Element.

It probably is not an issue for 99% of the cars on the road either, but don't burst my bubble. It was my adventure this weekend. The hiking here was fun but a bit muddy.

What a fun weekend. About 12 miles of hiking and 4 state parks in two days!!!! I can't wait to see Kari and Reid when they come back tomorrow.